Ligue 1

Ligue 1 Round 22 Results: Nancy record first win since August, as Marseille stumble in title bid

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By Mohammed Ali

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Jan 27, 2013 22:00:00

Ligue 1's bottom team secured a much-needed victory in the fight against relegation. Elsewhere, Lyon and Montpellier won, as Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang ended his scoring drought

VALENCIENNES 0-2 OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS

Olympique Lyonnais moved back to the top of the table at least until Sunday evening as they beat Valenciennes 2-0 at Stade du Hainaut.

Lisandro Lopez was named in the starting 11, but struggled with an injury in the warm-up, and he was replaced by Bafetimbi Gomis, who excelled in his absence.

Alexandre Lacazette had an early chance which clipped the bar, before Gueida Fofana held off a couple of defenders to swerve an attempt past Nicolas Penneteau and into the goal.

Remi Garde's men dominated in the first half, and went further ahead when Gomis tracked a low cross from Lacazette and beat Penneteau from close range.

Lyon top the Ligue 1 standings on 45 points, three ahead of PSG and Olympique de Marseille - with the former facing Lille on Sunday night.

STADE RENNES 2-2 OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLE

Marseille dropped further points in the Ligue 1 title race as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes in a pulsating encounter at Stade de la Route de Lorient.

Marseille-born Romain Alessandrini was the star of the show, but the winger's drive in the early stages narrowly cleared Steve Mandanda's bar.

Against the run of play, Elie Baup's visitors took the lead. Andre Ayew, scorer in last week's clash against Montpellier, stole in to divert the ball past Benoit Costil and hand Marseille a scarcely deserved advantage.

Rennes hit back, again through OM's defensive set-piece frailties. Alessandrini's cross was helped in by Kevin Theophile-Catherine, who restored parity.

With eight minutes to go, substitute Morgan Amalfitano's low drive was converted in by Jordan Ayew, before Alessandrini took advantage of some shocking goalkeeping from Mandanda to equalise in the dying minutes of the game.

AS NANCY 2-1 FC LORIENT

Nancy earned their first win since the opening day of the season, as they boosted their chances of beating relegation with a shock 2-1 win over Lorient.

Djamel Bakar and Kevin Monnet-Paquet spurned great opportunities at either end, as both goalkeepers were kept busy in the opening proceedings.

Paul Alo'o Efoulou stunned the visitors to put Nancy in the lead. The forward latched onto Romain Grange's deft pass before firing a stinging shot which Fabien Audard could only parry into the net.

Jeremie Aliadiere equalised soon after as he darted past a couple of static defenders to gently roll the ball into the Nancy goal.

Nevertheless, defender Sebastien Puygrenier ensured a first league victory since 11 August as he took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to prod home the winner.

ESTAC TROYES 2-1 STADE BREST

Troyes also ensured that their chances of survival grew, as they recorded a narrow 2-1 victory over Brest on Saturday evening.

Florian Jarjet spurned the best opportunity in the early stages as he pinged a header frustratingly wide of the post.

However, it was the hosts who would go through at the break in the lead thanks to Fabien Camus' fine free-kick, which sailed over the defence and past the goalkeeper.

Camus was also involved in the second goal as Troyes seized the initiative. A simple pass to the edge of the area saw Stephane Darbion fire powerfully into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.

Eden Ben Basat slotted home from a through ball minutes later, but it was merely a consolation for the visitors who remain four clear of the drop zone.

EVIAN TG 1-1 AC AJACCIO

Both Evian and Ajaccio's winless runs continued as they played out a frustrating 1-1 draw at the Parc des Sports in Annecy.

New boy Denis Oliech struck the opening goal before half-time after great work by Johan Cavalli, who exhibited his physical prowess by holding off the defender and squaring an easy pass for Oliech to convert.

Neither side could find a winner, as Evian stay outside of the bottom three by just a point.

STADE DE REIMS 1-1 TOULOUSEToulouse's dream of securing European football for next season took a further blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw against struggling Reims.

After losing Moussa Sissoko to Newcastle in midweek, bringing the end to a protacted contract feud between player and club, the visitors looked noticeably light in midfield.

Serge Aurier gave away a penalty for a clumsy challenge in midfield, though Gaetan Courtet spurned the chance after seeing Ali Ahamada confidently beat away his effort from the spot.

Etienne Capoue struck the crossbar with a fine strike from distance, though he would find the goal soon after, converting neatly from Franck Tabanou's assist.

Gregory Krychowiak equalised to seal a share of the spoils on 73 minutes, with a rifled finish on the edge of the area as Reims held on.

MONTPELLIER 2-0 SOCHAUXMontpellier put their recent troubles behind them to record a 2-0 win over Sochaux - in what was revenge for their 3-2 cup defeat by the same team on Wednesday.

The hosts refused to see their hopes of European football evaporate, after losing in the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue in the space of a week. Souleymane Camara's measured cross was well finshed by Emanuel Herrera, who nudged his side ahead.

Henri Bedimo seized on Remy Cabella's pass to deliver in a low cross, turned in by John Utaka, whose poacher instincts allowed Rene Girard's men to take a 2-0 interval lead.

Sochaux were toothless, rather unlike their extra-time victory in midweek, as they stay just a point clear of the drop zone.

SAINT-ETIENNE 3-0 SC BASTIA

Saint-Etienne rediscovered their fine early season form, as they picked up a first win since November with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Bastia.

Brandao put the hosts ahead after just nine minutes, before the former Marseille striker stumbled an effort against the post, and Anthony Modeste scuffed an effort wide.

Florian Thauvin - who was reportedly tracked by Premier League outfit Newcastle earlier this week - highlighted his burgeoning reputation, but not even he could force through an opener for Bastia.

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang struck his first goal since early November - a run of 12 games - to put the result beyond doubt, and Joshua Guilavogui added a third with a brilliantly taken effort to put Sainte back on the right track.OGC NICE 0-1 BORDEAUXNice's hopes of moving to within four points of title challengers Marseille took a blow as they were beaten by fellow European contenders Bordeaux at Stade du Ray.

The only goal of the game was scored by Henri Saivet, just before the hour mark, as Bordeaux made up for their limp 1-0 defeat to PSG last week.

Claude Puel's side threatened on occasions, but the match result will be regarded as a great chance wasted for the high-flyers to impact on the top four.

Nice remain in sixth place, being leap-frogged by the visitors into fifth.